§ 14. Dr. HASTINGSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty to what extent vessels under his charge gave assistance to ships of the Mercantile Marine during the recent gale; and whether he will give instructions that every possible assistance shall be given in similar circumstances?
§ Mr. AMMONI will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a brief record of the assistance given by His Majesty's ships to ships of the Mercantile Marine during the recent severe weather. As regards the second part of the question, it is a standing instruction that His Majesty's ships should afford every possible aid to vessels in danger or distress, and is so laid down in Article 896 of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions.
§ Commander SOUTHBYCan the hon. Member tell the House whether there is any reason to suppose that this instruction is not being carried out?
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEWill not the hon. Member admit that such an instruction is quite unnecessary?
§ Following is the record:
§ 24th November.
§ His Majesty's ship "Cambrian" on passage from Gibraltar to Plymouth in a full gale intercepted an S.O.S. from the steamship "Leonidas" and went to her assistance, which eventually was not required.
§ 2nd December.
§ In response to an S.O.S. from the British steamship "Canadian Transport," His Majesty's tug "Pilot" proceeded from Portland to her assistance. The ship, however, was eventually able to avoid shipwreck unaided.
§ 6th December.
§ In response to an S.O.S. from the Hungarian "Honved," His Majesty's tug "Sprite" proceeded from Portsmouth to her assistance. Later, however, a message was received that the cable ship "Telconia" was standing by and the "Sprite" was recalled.
§ 7th December.
§ His Majesty's tugs "Resolve" and "Grappler" from Portsmouth went to the assistance of the Italian steamship "San Marco" which had broken from her moorings and gone ashore. She was towed off by the tugs.
§ His Majesty's tug "Pilot" proceeded from Portland to the assistance of a vessel reported ashore at Osmington. It was found, however, that she did not require assistance.
§ His Majesty's tug "Retort" from Devonport went to the assistance of steamship "Andalucia Star" which had lost her rudder. A mooring party and lighter were also held in readiness to berth the ship if required, but she was able to arrive at Falmouth safely.
§ His Majesty's tugs "Robust" and "St. Clears" from Sheerness went to the 1379 assistance of the Anglo-American tanker "Ashtabula" which had gone ashore and refloated her.
§ 8th December.
§ His Majesty's tug "Retort" from Devonport went to the assistance of the steamship "Tynebridge," whose steering gear was reported disabled. The "Tyne-bridge," however, succeeded in repairing her steering gear and the tug was recalled.
§ 11th December.
§ His Majesty's ships "Sutton," "Vimy" and "Trinidad" were engaged for several days, in very heavy weather, in searching for nine Lowestoft fishing vessels which were long overdue. All have now returned safely.
§ There are also numerous instances of assistance given to barges, lighters and other small craft.